Your Neck of the Woods

Let's just get a few things straight: I love people. I love meeting people, laughing with people, and--quite honestly--I'm a great hugger. One of the reasons JD and I travel to speak is because we get to connect on a real level and create friendships...it's one of the best career perks! The next couple months we'll be out and about and I'd be honored to connect with you in your neck of the woods...

HOLLLLLLLA!! Yes, I'm so beyond excited to team up with creativeLIVE again for a FREE online course on how to build a wedding photography business. Feel free to register HERE and mark your calendars for this April 8-9, 2011 event. {For those of you who've been tweeting about it, thank you...I just wanna squeeeeze you!}

I'm incredibly honored to be joining forces with Akron Photo Series for a presentation on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. The three hour program will cover marketing and branding, and JD will be giving away free hugs as well. That's priceless. Trust me. The best news is 10% of ticket proceeds will go to Akron Children's Hospital and I'm honored to be a part of this event. Feel free to register here.

I'm terribly excited to be visiting the East Coast in March and it'll be my first time in Connecticut...ever. Yes, I grew up sheltered and spoiled by the golden sun. I'll be speaking at the CT Professional Photographer's Association Conference, so if you're in or around the Waterbury area (com'on...doesn't that just sound so East Coast and FANCY?!), I'd love to meet you. For more registration info, feel free to click HERE

Lastly, I'm stoked to be joining my good friend Becker over at The B School Study Hall tomorrow Thursday, February 17, 2010 at 4-5pm PST. I'll be taking your questions LIVE, so feel free to send them to me via Twitter, or you can leave them in the comment box below. The last time I was on, the questions were coming too fast I couldn't keep up...I'll be using questions from this post as a priority. 'Cause we're cool like dat.

Tanya - Happy that you're going to make it to our neck of the woods! I'm psyched and hope I can attend the Akron meeting. Just wanted to mention that with you loving music so much, try and check out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while you're here. It's not too too far from Akron and well worth the visit :) 03.03.11 - 6:52am

Alicia Candelora - I am not sure how I *just* saw this post, but I can't believe I will be in Europe when you are in my home state of CT. *le sigh* I don't want to burst your fantasy bubble, but Waterbury is known as the cesspool of Connecticut. I kid you not. And it lives up to its rep. Definitely NOT East Coast and fancy. If you want a town much more New England-y then you need to check out Mystic or Kent, CT. And next time, visit us in October...you will be blown away by the colors. :) 02.20.11 - 10:21am

John Andersen - That's awesome! We'd love to have you come up to beautiful Burlington, Vermont! 02.20.11 - 9:23am

Ana - I can't wait to meet you when you come to CT!. I moved back from Cali about 2 years ago and now wish I hadn't :( ! Planning on moving back as soon as it is possible! 02.17.11 - 6:22pm

Jenna Danelle - Yay B schoolers ROCK! I know you had a lot of leads from your own photog but can you touch on ideas on how to get leads when starting out please! Lol. Hope you accessorized tonight! ;-) You have great style, but I truly believe you can pull off anything though! 02.17.11 - 4:52pm

maryana - Hi Jasmine! so cool you'll be at bshool. I totally signed up because of your recommendation. And I think it's just amazing.
my q-n to you is about marketing materials. What would you suggest is an absolute must for someone who's starting out in photography? there are so many options on what to spend money, that it gets overwhelming. thank you so much. 02.17.11 - 1:28pm

Alexis Ritchie - Hi Jasmine I have been a follower of yours for a year now and you have been such an inspiration to me!! I have just been asked to shoot my first wedding!!!!! AAAAHHHH!!!! I am absolutely terrified!!! My first meeting is today and I have know idea what to do. Any tips?? 02.17.11 - 1:36am

jo ann - Akron, Ohio?? That is awesome! Akron is my hometown and I am so proud of this. I volunteered at Akron Children's Hospital in high school. Be sure to check out VegiTerranean while you're there...it is an amazingly beautiful and delicious vegetarian restaurant owned by Chrissie Hynde. Safe travels! 02.16.11 - 9:46pm

briana moore - Ok, I'm seriously heartbroken right now! I lived in SoCal for 10 years, moved to Boston just over a year ago, and often find myself sad that i never went to one of your workshops before moving. Now you are coming East... the one week I can't get anymore time off. Want to come up to Boston for St Patty's? I could buy you guys a pint, compare fave books, and try to refrain from peeing my pants in excitement. ;) 02.16.11 - 5:02pm

Tanya - Whoa....Ohio? In March? You know it snows here, right? :) Hope I get to see you! 02.16.11 - 3:47pm

Lorrie Prothero - ?? for bschool: do you ever have times when you connect with the groom more than the bride? Maybe it's more that I tend to have more guy friends than girl friends, but I've felt lately that it's more comfortable for me to be one on one w/ the groom talking than the bride. Or am I just odd? 02.16.11 - 3:15pm

Laura - What advice would you have to one just starting out? Are there any regrets that you have from when you were setting up your business? 02.16.11 - 3:09pm

Jack Pope - I'm so excited you are coming to waterbury! Can't wait to skip school for your presentation! 02.16.11 - 3:01pm

Marissa Nicole - Already requested the day off of work so I can view with no distractions. Looking forward to it. 02.16.11 - 2:55pm

Laura Olsen - Another creativeLIVE! I. can't. handle. it! *squeal* :)
I have a question that I have been wondering... we've seen your albums, but what about when a client orders a disc. Do you have a standard J* case or do you order a custom disc case for each client? (I have been making custom cases and they are making me crazy! There's gotta be an easier way!) Either way, what's your resource?
Off I go to register for your next installment of creativeLIVE.
P.S. When are you going to come to the gorgeous wedding mecca of Charleston, SC. I gotta get me a J* autograph. 02.16.11 - 2:02pm

Susan Jennings - Oh my goodness! When I read you would be in Ohio, I stood up an did a happy dance. This is only a little ways from home. I have already signed up for the seminar! I cannot wait to see you both again!!! 02.16.11 - 1:40pm

Betsy Jo - I'm glad you're coming to CT, but please get some time outside of Waterbury!! Not to diss that place, but, um... not the prettiest town in CT. Check out the shore and the Western hills- now you're talking! :) 02.16.11 - 1:38pm

ramyad london wedding photographer - I registered on CreativeLIVE yesterday when I saw you on the schedule, really looking forward to watching and listening over the two days. I really hope you'll cover marketing and growth strategies for feldgling ( less than 3 seasons) businesses. 02.16.11 - 1:37pm

Jessica Chavez - How cool are these events!! New year, new opportunities!! Congrats Jas!! I second April with her question, how do we find customers that fit our style? What can we do to make our style more clear to them without being rude? How can we start creating a new photography industry in our traditional city? Thanks for the help!!! 02.16.11 - 12:32pm

Nicole - I am so looking forward to seeing you and JD agian on CreativeLive! You guys rock!!!! 02.16.11 - 12:23pm

Kristen - Come to Detroit! 02.16.11 - 12:18pm

Cheryl Cronin - We can't wait for you to come to CT!! It's going to be a great convention and we are really looking forward to having you speak at it! See you soon :D 02.16.11 - 11:58am

April R. - Do you have any advice on being a wedding photography in a small traditional town? I feel like I can't be myself on my site and in my photography. I'm not even shooting wedding styles that portray what I love! I feel like I have to take the work though or I will have NO work! HELP! 02.16.11 - 11:47am

Emily - See you in OH!! Just registerd for the Akron presentation! ( : 02.16.11 - 11:39am

Carrie LeighAnna - Fort Myers, FL!! When that day comes, it will be wonderful. Your work is fabulous and I'd love to hear you speak on your methods and philosophies. Maybe one day I will :) 02.16.11 - 11:32am

Julie - Do you take traditional family church altar photos and if yes, what kind of lighting do you use? 02.16.11 - 10:41am

Amy - Come to South Florida! Totally different vibe than California and we need your style of photography down here. Desperately. 02.16.11 - 10:37am

Lydia - I registered for the cL class as soon as I heard you were doing another one! Almost more excited about the business side than seeing you shoot because I need so much help in that area! 02.16.11 - 10:28am

Shannon - You have NO IDEA how freaking stoked I am!!! I live about 30 min from Waterbury and my jaw almost dropped when I saw you writting about it in this post. I was like oh she will be in my neck of the woods... yeah right... why would THE j* come to my neck of the woods. Boring old CT... yeah right... BUT YOU REALLY ARE!!! I totally just signed up for the conference and cannot tell you how totally excited I am! WAHOOOOOOOO :) 02.16.11 - 10:27am

Lisa Cour - Yes! I am already registered for CT and canNOT wait to see you again (we met at PPE in NYC this past Oct). I also bought your last Creative Live and I'll be at the B school tomorrow. I hope you don't consider me a stalker (cause sometimes I feel a little like one. :)
Its so funny that you think of "fancy" when you think of Waterbury. Though much of our state is beautiful, quaint, etc, Waterbury is not traditional thought of as any of those. You'll see what I mean. :)
Can't wait to see you and JD again! 02.16.11 - 9:54am

Stephanie Lyell - I'm super pumped your coming to Akron, Oh. My husbands from that area, so we are going to visit his family and come to the seminar!! Can't wait :) 02.16.11 - 9:52am

Jeremy - I read a book that said even the car you drive should be "branded." Do you think that is true and what car you and JD drive? 02.16.11 - 9:41am

feuza - you finally come to east coast and its 128 miles away but I might just have to go!!! and never heard of that town in CT 02.16.11 - 9:35am

Stacey - Total City Girl - Hey Jasmine! So excited that you're heading over to the East Coast. I'm in NY and may consider coming to see you. It's about an hour and a half drive from me. If this city girl can get past the whole driving thing, I'll be there! 02.16.11 - 9:26am

Life with Kaishon - Here is my question: Do you have business cards? Do you use cards with a picture?
That is all the brilliance I can come up with today. 02.16.11 - 9:21am

Brooke - Awww Jasmine, come out and visit us in beautiful Colorado. A LOT of Californians move here, you might find a new home. :) 02.16.11 - 9:20am

Kate Douthwright - You are busy chica! I do have a question for your "Study Hall" with Becker. What do when a bride wants pricing for their wedding over a year away? I don't have 2012 pricing yet but have gotten a few inquiries. I don't want to pull pricing out of thin air. Thanks Jasmine! 02.16.11 - 9:14am

Kristin Nicole - Beyond excited for creative live, I feel like the last course helped me push my business to the next level, and I can't wait to get to the next! 02.16.11 - 9:05am

MartaV - YAY!!! I am beyond excited when I heard yesterday about CreativeLive. I can't wait for you to be in Seattle again. It will be great. You and JD are so amazing in that you really share your knowelege with others. I think you have helped to start a great movement amongst the photographic community. You two totally ROCK! I'll be watching on the Bschool tomorrow. Good Luck! 02.16.11 - 8:51am

Chelsie - Do you ever come up to the Monterey Bay area? ust moved here a week ago. Excited to see everything California has to offer! 02.16.11 - 8:48am

Nina Grace - Yay! I'm soo gonna audition to join your CreativeLive workshop :) I'm so excited for you Jasmine..and Thank you for your willingness to openly and honestly share with others :)
P.S. you have to come down to FL sometime ;-) you'll still get the warm sunny weather you're used to loL 02.16.11 - 8:18am

Renee - WOW! I can't believe you are coming to Akron, Ohio of all places. That's just a straight shot up north from me. I am in Cincinnati! How cool! Thank you for coming to a place no one ever does! :) 02.16.11 - 8:17am

richard grebby - Ah, you are coming to Ct, Just when I have to leave and head back to the UK. Best of luck Jasmine with the travelling. Right now im packing my bags to go back home without my wife of only 4 days (she has to wait to get her visa) sad times :( 02.16.11 - 8:16am

Lea P. - I am already packing my bags for seattle!!!!!
I am so appreciative you are teaming up with CreativeLive again!! i couldnt enter the contest last time but this time.....LOOK OUT world! 02.16.11 - 8:07am

Stacy Hart - Yay! I have family in Akron :-) I might be able to make that trip. You just made my day and you don't even know it! 02.16.11 - 8:00am

Kristin - Lol! Oh no!! Waterbury may not give you the best impression of CT!! Be sure to hang out around the shoreline a bit on your way into the state :) 02.16.11 - 7:59am

angel - YESSSS! You're finally coming to the other side of the country and close to me! Yipppeeee! ;-) 02.16.11 - 7:55am

LEOLAK - Yes, yes you do give great hugs! LOL Will definitely see if I can view the online appearances so my green with envy isn't too bad. lol Safe travels to you and JD. When my brain wakes up I'll send over a question. lol 02.16.11 - 7:48am